Who is this choice relevant to?

Dessert lovers who choose by cocoa content

You want to finish a separate sweet dish after your fish and are looking for chocolate sprinkles with a clearly stated cocoa content. The word ‘pure’ alone doesn’t give you enough to go on.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

If milk, soya or lactose matters to you, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging for each product.

Shoppers looking for standard dark chocolate sprinkles

You’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles for bread or as a sweet topping, without requiring a cocoa content of at least 52%. The standard varieties from AH, Venz and Jumbo reviewed here contain at least 32% cocoa solids.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to use the sprinkles for a separate sweet dish. Then compare the stated cocoa content and check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you’re considering.

What to look for What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Cocoa content Compare the percentage of cocoa solids on the label. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52%; the standard varieties from AH, Venz and Jumbo reviewed here contain at least 32%. When choosing sprinkles for my dessert, I want to be able to identify a clearly higher cocoa content rather than relying on the word ‘pure’. For around 50% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
How they fit into the meal Decide on a sweet use in advance, such as a separate dessert, ice cream or something to have with bread; don’t treat chocolate sprinkles as a fish seasoning unless you have a suitable recipe. I want to serve something sweet after the fish, but I wouldn’t simply scatter sprinkles over the main course. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this consideration.
Ingredients and sugars Read the current allergen information and compare the sugars per 100 g on the label. If I need to consider milk, soya or my sugar intake, the suitability of the label matters more to me than the flavour description. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘pure’ means high cocoa content

    According to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the standard varieties from AH, Venz and Jumbo reviewed here contain at least 32% cocoa solids, compared with at least 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. So the name alone doesn’t tell you which of these figures is stated on the packaging.

    If cocoa content is your main priority, compare the percentage for the specific variety.

  • Treating chocolate sprinkles as an everyday fish seasoning

    The uses described for these dark chocolate sprinkles are sweet ones, including bread, yoghurt, cupcakes and ice cream. This doesn’t provide evidence of a flavour pairing with the savoury fish dish itself.

    Keep the sprinkles for a separate sweet dish unless you’re deliberately following a recipe that uses them with fish.

  • Focusing on cocoa alone

    The products mentioned also differ in how they list milk, soya and lactose. Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag Puur contains 64 g of sugars per 100 g, while Jumbo lists 65 g and 65.8 g per 100 g for the Venz and Jumbo varieties reviewed, respectively.

    Before buying, read the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the product you choose.

Brands compared

The features below apply to the varieties named, not automatically to every chocolate sprinkle from these brands.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur is worth considering if you’re looking for a clearly higher cocoa content for a sweet treat.

  • For this 200 g variety, Albert Heijn states at least 52% cocoa solids and lists bread, yoghurt, porridge and cupcakes among the suggested uses.
  • This variety contains milk and soya; also check the packaging for warnings about milk protein and lactose. The stated cocoa content doesn’t automatically apply to other De Ruijter varieties.

Venz

Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag is a standard dark chocolate variety in a 400 g pack.

  • Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • According to Jumbo, this variety contains milk and soya, may contain lactose, and provides 65 g of sugars per 100 g according to its nutritional information.

Albert Heijn

AH Hagelslag Puur is a 600 g own-brand variety for sweet treats, including desserts and ice cream.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The product information lists milk and lactose, and 64 g of sugars per 100 g. This variety doesn’t meet a specific buying criterion of at least 52% cocoa solids.

Jumbo

Jumbo Chocolade Hagelslag Puur is a 380 g own-brand variety that’s also suggested as a decoration for ice cream.

  • Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The product information lists 65.8 g of sugars per 100 g and states that milk may be present. The stated cocoa content isn’t the same as a criterion of at least 52%.

Products for a sweet treat

These chocolate sprinkles are worth considering if you’re looking for something sweet to enjoy with your fish dinner, not for seasoning the fish. Check the label of your chosen variety if cocoa content, ingredients or nutritional values are important to your decision.

De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g

For a separate sweet treat after your fish dinner, for example as a dessert topping. The pack contains 200 g; check the label for this variety’s cocoa content and allergen information.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g

g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g

For a sweet treat, perhaps with bread or yoghurt. The pack contains 300 g; check the current nutritional information and allergen details if they’re important to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can you put dark chocolate sprinkles on the fish itself?

Don’t assume dark chocolate sprinkles are suitable as a topping for a savoury fish dish. The uses described for the products reviewed are sweet; you’ll need a recipe that specifically calls for them with fish if you want to try that combination.

What cocoa content should I look for in a dessert?

If your aim is a demonstrably higher cocoa content, choose by the percentage on the packaging. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids; the standard varieties from AH, Venz and Jumbo reviewed here contain at least 32%. The word ‘pure’ alone doesn’t make this distinction clear.

Should I check for milk and soya in dark chocolate sprinkles?

Yes. If these ingredients or possible traces matter to you, check the packaging for the variety you choose. The De Ruijter Specials and Venz varieties reviewed contain milk and soya; AH Hagelslag Puur lists milk and lactose, while milk may be present in the Jumbo variety mentioned.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles for dessert after dinner?

Store the sprinkles according to the instructions on the packaging and seal the pack carefully after use. For AH Hagelslag Puur, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place; for other varieties, follow the instructions on the product’s own label.